The Daily Choice

I believe any person that can run a mile can run a marathon. It simply requires running a long way. If one has time to train, trains regularly for a long time, eats reasonably well, and commits, a marathon can be achieved.

I read that a marathon doesn’t start until mile 20. After running one, I get it. The difficulty that kicks in the late miles of the race are essentially THE race. This portion of the run is when the body begins to shut down. The mind attempts to convince the body to stop. At this point in the run, it is 99% a mental battle. Sure the body feels pain, but it is the mind that puts the brakes on the body, if there isn’t an injury of course. When I was training, I knew the pain was inevitable, so I expected it. It was as if I was running into the gauntlet.

I remind you again, I believe anyone that can run a mile can run a marathon. It doesn’t take talent, only commitment and a will to make it happen.

This commitment to run a marathon is a great comparison to the commitment of a follower of Jesus. The life of the Apostle Paul in the Bible illustrates the commitment.

In Acts 9, we read that Paul comes face-to-face with the risen Jesus and receives a new mission in life. Paul is a “chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and children of Israel.” Acts 9:15.

Jesus says one other thing about the mission of Paul. He says, “For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” Acts 9:16

Paul knew suffering would happen. But, despite the certain difficulties to come, Paul immediately, acts out of obedience and commitment.

And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” Acts 9:21

The Bible illustrates Paul’s further commitment as he travels through modern day Turkey, Macedonia, Greece, and Asia, sharing about Jesus. He started no less than 13 churches on his journeys.

And, Jesus’ promise of suffering came to fruition. At virtually every stop, Paul is persecuted. He is imprisoned, beaten, whipped, and stoned. But, he never stopped his mission. In fact, he would carry the mission to his death. He was committed.

Toward the end of Paul’s journey, in Acts 21, Paul is led by the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem. On his way back to Jerusalem, as he is traveling through all the towns that he knew well, he is warned repeatedly by his friends not to go to Jerusalem. But, Paul would never let this stop him. He had been walking with God too long. He went to Jerusalem, shared all that God had done on his journeys, ended up being imprisoned, and, ultimately, martyred.

As I read about Paul in the Bible, I am challenged, convicted, sometimes defeated, as I ponder how Paul had this commitment. I am not talking about Paul’s salvation, as Jesus clearly told him that he was a “chosen instrument.” Paul was previously a murderer, a persecutor of those that followed Jesus. In no way did he earn favor from God. It was granted to him as a free gift, grace. When I say that I am challenged, I am talking about Paul’s commitment as a follower of Jesus.

Paul was not a robot. He had to make a decision, a commitment to follow Christ. He knew the difficulty, but, in his mind, in didn’t matter. The reward was greater. Paul was willing to lose his life for the sake of achieving his mission. In fact, Paul was willing to lose his life if only others would give their life to Jesus.

This type of commitment is difficult, but it is a decision. Just like a marathon, commitment is completely under our control. One has to decide to commit. In the Bible, Galatians 5:16 and following clearly spell this out for us.

In Galatians 5:16, Paul writes to “let the Spirit guide your life.” Through this statement, we know that we can not allow the Spirit to guide our life. It is a choice, a commitment. After this statement, Paul compares what a life lived by the Spirit looks like versus one that isn’t. It is clearly a choice. We are not robots.

So, terrible comparison I know, but there are many similarities between the journey of running a marathon and the journey of following Jesus. But, perhaps the greatest similarity is how I started that anyone that can run a mile can run a marathon. Anyone. The same is true for following Jesus. It is open to anyone (John 3:16). Believe.

And, just like a marathon, to run the race, one has to be radically committed. Difficulty is inevitable, but one has to stay committed. here is no other way to finish the race well.

Commitment is a daily choice. This is true for anything worthwhile in life by the way (marriage, parenting, job, etc.).

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